A search-and-rescue operation in Evansville, Wyoming, took an unexpected turn when it resulted in a drug charge for 19-year-old Brant Blocker. Blocker, who was reported missing while herding cows on a four-wheeler, was later found at his residence, leading to his arrest on drug-related charges.
Search Operation
The search began when ranchers reported Blocker missing at 10:32 a.m. last Saturday. He had last been in contact with them at 7:10 a.m., stating he was lost and had only 6 percent battery left on his phone. Despite being instructed to head south to a familiar area, Blocker did not rejoin the group.
Friends checked his residence in Evansville but did not find him there initially. The Natrona County Sheriff’s Office, along with Game and Fish personnel and a helicopter from Banner Wyoming Medical Center, were involved in the search efforts.
Discovery and Charges
Evansville Police Chief Mike Thompson discovered Blocker’s four-wheeler at his residence at 2 p.m. A friend initially claimed not to have seen Blocker, but upon further inspection, Blocker was found asleep in his bed.
Deputy Tyler Kaufmann arrived an hour later and encountered Blocker as he was about to drive away. Blocker admitted to getting lost and losing his phone, which prevented him from contacting anyone after reaching Cole Creek and returning home.
Blocker was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.06% and admitted to using cocaine the previous night. A search of his truck revealed a baggie with cocaine residue. Consequently, Blocker was charged with possession of cocaine and consuming alcohol as a minor. A bond of $2,500 was set.
Legal Background
Blocker is currently serving a term of probation following a previous incident in December, where he was charged with threatening a woman with a gun. He pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and use of a controlled substance, resulting in a year of suspended sentence and supervised probation.
Blocker is presumed innocent until proven guilty or entering a guilty plea in court.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
